Balotelli fumes as officials rule out incredible back-heel assist

The Italian striker, who currently plays for Adana Demirspor, has been in wonderful form this season, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists for his teammates.

Balotelli's quality isn't up for debate having played for Inter Milan, Manchester City, Liverpool and AC Milan.

He's suffered some blips in his career but at the age of 31 he's proving he's still got plenty left in the tank.

Andduring a 3-2 defeat to Sivasspor at the weekend, he showcased his natural talent on the pitch.

Having already scored a penalty, Balotelli provided a moment of brilliance that could have earned a point for Demirspor, with the experienced attacker playing a glorious first-time backheel drag-back through his own legs and into the path of a teammate who tapped home.

While the moment was undoubtedly ingenious, the referee ruled the goal out for offside, deeming Balotelli's efforts worthless, something that the outspoken striker wasn't too happy about.

Balotelli wrote on Instagram: "Meantime they continue to disallow my goals and assists. Very nice and clean system there is here."

Balotelli has always been regarded as one of the most talented players of the last decade, with the striker himself telling The Athletic earlier this month that he has the same quality as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

"I missed some chances to be at that level," he said of that conversation. "But I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.

"And nowadays, I cannot say I'm as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d'Or)? Five? You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can. But if we're talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest."

"I think that was my biggest mistake, to leave City," Balotelli added. "Even in the year when I left, I played very well in Milan for a year and a half, but after that, I had some problems. And now that I'm older, I know that I shouldn't have left City at that time.

"All these years seeing City improving, improving and improving. I could have been here like Sergio Aguero for a long time.

"If I had my mindset now," he laughs, "when I was at City, probably one golden ball (Ballon d'Or) I could have won, I'm sure about this. But you know, when you grow up, you mature more, so…"